Controversial Issues in School Librarianship: Divergent Perspectives
Whether you've been involved in controversial librarianship issues, or just watched from the sidelines, this book will give you unbiased facts and the motivation you need to express and support your own strong opinions.
Search in google:
Covering the basic facts and outlining arguments for each side of contemporary school library media controversies, this slender volume addresses issues of training and certification, professional image, staffing, standards, collection development, computerized reading management programs, scheduling, facilities, and digital school libraries. A glossary defines technical and professional terms. Everhart teaches in the school library media program at St. John's University in New York City. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR School Library Journal Everhart addresses the multitude of problems in school librarianship. She begins with a chapter on becoming a school library media specialist and the discrepancies of state requirements. Each chapter ends with discussion questions and project ideas. Throughout the text, the author probes issues equally philosophical and practical. Using primary source documents such as articles and letters from School Library Journal and postings from LM_NET, she presents both sides of most every issue school librarians face today without placing weight on either side. Topics such as the necessity of having an education background, the image of librarians, class scheduling (flexible, flexed, and block), and facilities are all explored, along with other pertinent topics that sometimes involve more attitudinal than logistical difficulty. There is quite a lot of practical information, which is the book's major strength. Everhart has compiled the major issues, the details, reference material, and additional sources in one place for both those doing research and those in the trenches. Some topics get short shrift. The chapter on computerized reading management programs, for example, is quite brief even though it is a substantially controversial subject that almost every school librarian must deal with. However, the volume as a whole is an invaluable place to start when developing presentations for faculty and administration. A must for any library-school student and a great resource for school librarians.-Karen Hoth, Marathon Middle/High School, FL Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
AcknowledgementsviiIntroductionixBecoming a School Library Media Specialist1Divergent Perspectives2Certification2Education for the Profession4Distance Learning7Teacher or Librarian?9Questions for Discussion and Reflection16Projects17References18Additional Information19Web Sites20Professional Image21Divergent Perspectives22Librarians in the Media22Perpetuating the Stereotype26Education and Image27The Invisible School Librarian28Questions for Discussion and Reflection30Projects31References32Additional Information33Web Sites33Staffing the School Library Media Center35Divergent Perspectives37Staffing Mandates37Shortage of School Library Media Specialists39Paraprofessionals40Staffing and Technology40Figure 1: State Mandates for School Library Media Specialists with Ratio of Students Per School Library Media Specialist43Questions for Discussion and Reflection45Projects46References47Additional Information47Web Sites48Standards and Guidelines49Divergent Perspectives51Qualitative vs. Quantitative Standards51Authority of Standards52Communicating Standards53Are Standards Realistic?54Questions for Discussion and Reflection56Projects57References58Web Sites59Collection Development61Divergent Perspectives62Responsibility for Selection62Classroom Collections63Curricular Needs and Personal Interests64Censorship and Selection65Funding for the Collection67Questions for Discussion and Reflection69Projects70References71Additional Information71Web Sites72Computerized Reading Management Programs73Divergent Perspectives74Motivation and Rewards74Book Selection76Library Collections and Budgets76Staff Time77Raising Reading Test Scores and Research77Questions for Discussion and Reflection79Projects80References81Additional Information82Web Sites82Scheduling83Divergent Perspectives84Flexible Scheduling84Fixed Scheduling87Combining Fixed and Flexible Scheduling90Block Scheduling91Questions for Discussion and Reflection94Projects95References96Additional Information97Web Sites98Facilities99Divergent Perspectives100Are School Library Media Centers Necessary?100Extended Hours101Combined School-Public Libraries103The School Library Media Center in Year-Round Schools106School Library Media Centers Incorporating Design Ideas from Bookstores108Homeschoolers109Furnishings111Questions for Discussion and Reflection113Projects114References115Additional Information116Web Sites117Virtual/Digital School Libraries119Divergent Perspectives120Roles of the Virtual School Library and Virtual School Librarian120Accessing the Virtual School Library12324-7 Access124State Digital Libraries124The Internet Is No Substitute for a Library125eBooks126Measuring Use129Questions for Discussion and Reflection131Projects132References133Additional Information134Web Sites135Glossary137Index143About the Author150
\ From the Publisher"This book would best serve as a text for a course in a Library Science program, and particularly, a program for future school library media specialists. As the title suggests, this resource covers topics in school librarianship such as education, professional image, advocacy, collection development, and authoritative guidelines for the school library. Everhart is successful in demonstrating how the field of school librarianship is challenged with various perspectives in topics that affect the school library daily. Computer reading management programs, for example, inspire some children to read, but tend to discourage children from reading outside the program's prescribed reading list. At the end of each chapter, Everhart provides discussion questions and suggested projects and points to sources for additional information. It is a scholarly, academic piece written quite eloquently by a multi-award-winning researcher and educator."\ -\ Library Media Connection\ \ \ \ \ \ School Library JournalEverhart addresses the multitude of problems in school librarianship. She begins with a chapter on becoming a school library media specialist and the discrepancies of state requirements. Each chapter ends with discussion questions and project ideas. Throughout the text, the author probes issues equally philosophical and practical. Using primary source documents such as articles and letters from School Library Journal and postings from LM_NET, she presents both sides of most every issue school librarians face today without placing weight on either side. Topics such as the necessity of having an education background, the image of librarians, class scheduling (flexible, flexed, and block), and facilities are all explored, along with other pertinent topics that sometimes involve more attitudinal than logistical difficulty. There is quite a lot of practical information, which is the book's major strength. Everhart has compiled the major issues, the details, reference material, and additional sources in one place for both those doing research and those in the trenches. Some topics get short shrift. The chapter on computerized reading management programs, for example, is quite brief even though it is a substantially controversial subject that almost every school librarian must deal with. However, the volume as a whole is an invaluable place to start when developing presentations for faculty and administration. A must for any library-school student and a great resource for school librarians.-Karen Hoth, Marathon Middle/High School, FL Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.\ \
